Evening Meeting Factor Behind Upendra Kushwaha’s Strategic Win, Party Split Averted for Now

Speculation over an imminent split within Bihar-based political outfit Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) has been put on hold, at least for now, following a carefully timed political move by party chief Upendra Kushwaha. An informal evening meeting with two key party legislators has helped defuse internal tensions that had been simmering for weeks.

The crisis erupted after Kushwaha facilitated the induction of his son, Deepak Prakash, into the Nitish Kumar-led cabinet, triggering allegations of “dynasty politics” from within the party. Three RLM MLAs — Madhav Anand (Madhubani), Alok Kumar Singh (Dinara), and Rameshwar Mahato — had openly expressed displeasure and distanced themselves from party activities.

The dissent became more pronounced when the disgruntled legislators skipped Kushwaha’s much-publicised ‘Litti Party’ and were later seen in the company of senior BJP leader Nitin Naveen, fuelling speculation of an imminent rebellion once Kharmas (the inauspicious period in the Hindu calendar) ended.

Crisis Management Through Dialogue

However, political equations appeared to shift on Friday evening when Madhav Anand and Alok Kumar Singh met Kushwaha at his Patna residence. Photographs of the informal interaction — marked by tea, casual conversation and visible warmth — were later shared on the party’s official social media handles.

Political observers believe the meeting was far from symbolic. By personally engaging with the aggrieved MLAs and addressing their concerns, Kushwaha managed to neutralise a potentially damaging rebellion. The timing of the meeting is being seen as crucial, as rival political camps were closely watching for signs of a split in RLM following the end of Kharmas.

Rebellion Deferred, Not Eliminated

With two of the three rebel legislators returning to the fold, the immediate threat of a formal party split has weakened considerably. Their presence alongside the party chief has restored both numerical and moral strength to Kushwaha’s leadership.

However, the challenge has not been entirely resolved. The third MLA, Rameshwar Mahato, was absent from the meeting and is believed to be maintaining a rebellious stance. Despite this, the support of two senior legislators has given Kushwaha critical political breathing space at a time when party stability is key for future negotiations and alliance dynamics.

For now, Upendra Kushwaha’s late-evening outreach has emerged as a strategic win — one that has stalled internal dissent and reaffirmed his grip over the party, even as the broader political battle continues.